Collapsible box.



C. KUENTZEL. COLLAPSIBLE BOX.

APPLICATION FILED APR.29, I915;

Pdten fied J une 27 Show L ma E? EuBT KuENTzEL.

fitter/14043 ma COLUMBIA FLA'NOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON. D. c.'

UNITED STATES PATENT DFFICE.

CUB/1 KUENTZEL, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO FRANK T. LAHEY, 0F AKRON,OHIO.

COLLAPSIBLE BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2'7, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GURT KUENTZEL, a subject of Villiam 11, Emperor ofGermany, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio,have invented new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Boxes, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible boxes used forshipping merchandise, and the object of the invention is to provide astrong, serviceable, comparatively light box which can be collapsed forreshipment to the original consignor, and which is comparativelyindestructible so that reshipment of the collapsible box is preferableto the destruction of the same by the consignee.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists inthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of partsconstituting the invention to be hereinafter specifically described andillustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereofwherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, but

it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can beresorted to which come within the scope of the matter hereinafterclaimed.

In the drawings in which similar reference numerals indicate like partsin the different figures, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a boxembodying this invention equipped with one form of sealing device; Fig.2, is a transverse sectional'view of the box shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3, isa plan with the cover removed; Fig. 4, is a detail in sec tion showingthe method of interlocking the sides and bottom of the box together;Fig. 5, is a similar view showing in detail the means for locking theends to the sides; and Fig. 6, is a view of a modification in whichdifferent means are employed for securing the coverin place.

Referring to the drawings in detail the reference numerals l and 2denote the side members of the box; 3 and 4 the end members and 5 thebottom. All of the members of the box are preferably constructed of thinsheet metal, although I do not limit myself to this material. The bottommember 5 comprises a sheet of thin metal pro vided at the sides and endswith a plurality of lugs 6 arranged at right angles to the bottom memberand spaced apart. to provide openings 7 between them. These lugs andopenings 7 will preferably be of approximately the same width for apurpose to be later described. The side members 1 and 2 are provided attheir lower portions with a series of laterally-projecting lugs 8extending approximately at right angles to the body of the members andarranged in spaced relation one with another to provide openings 9. Thelugs 8 in the lower portions of the sides 1 and 2 are arranged toalternate in position with respect to the lugs 6 on the member 5 so asto lie opposite the openings 7 in the bottom member. The ends 3 and 4are provided at their lower portions with laterally-projecting lugsspaced from each other to provide openings 11 between them. These lugs10 are arranged at approximately right angles with respect to the bodymembers 3 and 4 and in alternation with respect 'to the lugs 8 at theends of the member 5.

At the ends of the side members 1 and 2 are laterally-projecting flangesnear the center of which are longitudinally-extending cuts 12 and theflanged portions above the cuts 12 are outwardly-bent to constitute lugs13 and the portions below the cuts12 are inwardly bent to constitutelugs 14. These lugs 13 and 14 are bent away from each other sufficientlyto provide a space or channel for the reception of the side edges of theends.

The parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 4 by inserting the lugs 8 ofthe side members in the spaces 7 between the lugs 6 of the bottom memberand the lugs 6 of the bottom member in the openings 9 between the lugs 8of the side members with the parts at an acute inclination to eachother, as shown in Fig. 4, after which the sides are swung on the lugs 6and 8 as hinges until arranged at approximately right angles to thebottom member 5. The ends are then positioned in a similar manner byinserting the lugs 10 in the spaces 7 between the lugs 8 at the ends ofthe bottom member 5 and the lugs 6 of the bottom member in the spaces 11between the lugs 10 of the end members. In order to swing the end members 3 and 4 to place the side members are temporarily swung slightlyoutward in order to permit the edges of the ends 3 and 4 to clear theouter lugs 13 after which the sides are allowed to resume their normalposition in which the edges of the members 3 and 4 are received in thechannel between the lugs 13 and 1st of the side members, thereby holdingthe sides and ends of the box against movement. The box is completed bysuper-posing on the structure just formed a cover 15 which is surroundedby an upwardly-extending channel-forming bead 16 in which the channel 17receives the upper edges of the sides and ends of the box and securelyholds the same in position. The upper portions of the ends and sides ofthe box as well as the beading 16 are provided with registeringapertures 18 through which may be passed a flexible member 19 forlocking the cover in position and this member 19 may be provided with aseal. 20, if desired.

In place of using a flexible member 19 bolts or studs 21 (see Fig. 6)may be em ployed. The parts are so formed that when in their assembledrelation they form an exceedingly strong and serviceable box with acomparatively uninterrupted interior which presents a smooth surface forthe storage of various forms of merchandise, and when in their collapsedcondition the various portions of the box occupy a minimum amount ofspace.

I claim 1. A collapsible box embodying a bottom member the marginalportions of which are provided with a series of spaced lugs arrangedapproximately at right angles thereto, side and end members provided attheir lower marginalportions with a series of spaced lugs arranged inalternation with respect to the lugs on the marginal portions of thelower member with which they are to be coupled, the lugs on the side andend members adapted to be received in the openings between the lugs ofthe bottom member and lap the sides of said member and the lugs on thelower member adapted to be inserted in the spaces between the lugs onthe sides and end members and lap the outer faces of the same, and acover secured to the upper portions of the side and end members to holdthem in position.

2. A collapsible box embodying a bottom member the marginal portions ofwhich are provided with a series of spaced lugs arranged approximatelyat angles thereto, side and end members provided at their lower marginalportions with a series of spaced lugs arranged in alternation withrespect to the lugs on the marginal portions of the lower member withwhich they are to be coupled, the lugs on the side and end mem bersadapted to be received in the openings between the lugs of the bottommember and lap the sides of said member and the lugs on the lower memberadapted to be inserted in the spaces between the lugs on the 1 side andend members and lap the outer faces of the same, said side and endmembers provided at their lateral marginal portions with interlockingmeans,'and a cover secured. to the upper portions of the side and I endmembers to hold them in position.

3. collapsible box embodying a bottom member the-marginal portions ofwhich are provided with a series of spaced lugs arranged approximatelyat right angles thereto, side and end members provided at their lowermarginal portions wit-h a series of spaced lugs arranged in alternationwith respect to the lugs on the marginal portions of the lower memberwith which they are to be coupled, the lugs on the side and end membersadapted to be received in the openings between the lugs of the bottommember and lap the sides of said member and the lugs on the lower memberadapted to be inserted in the spaces between the lugs on the side andend. members and lap the outer faces of the same, the lateral marginalportions of a portion of the side and end members provided with lugsprojecting. at right angles and adapted to interlock with the remainingportions, and a cover secured to the upper portions of said side and endmembers.

4. A collapsible box embodying a bottom member the marginal portions ofwhich are provided with a series of spaced lugs arranged approximatelyat right angles thereto, side and end members provided at their lowermarginal portions with a series of spaced lugs arranged in alternationwith respect to the lugs on the marginal portions of the lower memberwith which they are to be coupled, the lugs on the side and end membersadapted to be received in the openings between the lugs of the bottommemher and lap the sides of said member and the lugs on the lower memberadapted to be inserted in the spaces between the lugs on the side andend members and lap the outer faces of the same, and a'cover providedwith an upwardly-projecting marginal channelforming bead, said channeladapted to receive the side and end members to hold them in position.

5. A collapsible box embodying a bottom member the marginal portionsofwhich are provided with a series of spaced lugs ar-' rangedapproximately at right angles thereto, side and end members provided attheir lower marginal portions with a series of spaced lugs arranged inalternation with respect to the lugs on the marginal portions of thelower member with which they are to be coupled, the lugs on the side andend members adapted to be received in the openings between the lugs ofthe bottom member and lap the sides of said member and the lugs on thelower member adapted to be inserted in the spaces between the lugs onthe side and end members and lap the outer faces of the same, a coverprovided with an upwardlyprojecting marginal channel-forming bead, saidchannel adapted to receive the side and end members to hold them inposition, and means extending in said bead for uniting said cover tosaid box.

6. A collapsible box embodying a bottom, side and end members, theengaging portions of said members each provided with a series ofseparate projecting lugs arranged at right angles to the lug-bearingmembers, the lugs on the side and end members arranged in alternationwith respect to the lugs on the bottom member, the lugs on the bottommember adapted to lap the outer faces of the side and end members andthe lugs on the side and end members adapted to lap the under face ofthe bottom member when said box is assembled, and a cover secured to theupper portions of the side and end members.

7 A collapsible box embodying a bottom member the marginal portions ofwhich are provided with a series of spaced lugs arranged approximatelyat right angles thereto, side and end members provided at their lowermarginal portions with a series of spaced lugs arranged in alternationwith ,respect to the lugs on the marginal portions of the lower memberwith which they are to be coupled, the lugs on the side and end membersadapted to be received in the openings between the lugs of the bottommember and lap the sides of said member and the lugs on the lower memberadapted to be inserted in the spaces between the lugs on the side andend members and lap the outer faces of the same, a cover provided withan upwardly-projecting marginal channelforming bead, said channeladapted to receive the side and end members to hold them in position,and means extending in said bead for uniting said cover to said box.

8. A collapsible box embodying a bottom, side and end members, theengaging portions of said members each provided with a series ofseparated projecting lugs arranged at right angles to the lug-bearingmembers, the lugs on the side and end members arranged in alternationwith respect to the lugs on the bottom member, the lugs on the bottommember adapted to lap the outer face of the side and end members and thelugs on the side and end members adapted to lap the under face of thebottom member when said box is assembled, and a cover secured to theupper portions of the side and end members.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set m hand.

y CURT KUENTZEL.

Copies 01 this patent may be obtained 101' he cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of l'atents, Washington, D. G."

